Westrum L E, Dunn R C, Bertram J F
Brain Res. 1985 Oct 14;345(1):25-33. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(85)90832-7.
Morphometric methods have been used to study the synaptic and terminal patterns in cat trigeminal nucleus, pars interpolaris, during development and aging. Ages 1, 3, 6, 11, 16, 21, 27, 110, 600 days and 8 and 11 years were studied. Both proportions and densities (number per unit area) of certain terminals and synapses showed significant changes with age. Axoaxonic synapses especially showed two major periods of increase (3-6 days and 21-27 days). The values of most parameters increased in the 21-27 day period to peak levels and then decreased gradually with age. The results indicate two separate critical synaptogenic periods of development and a loss of synaptic elements in aging. Factors contributing to these changes are discussed as is the potential for plasticity in the different afferents at each period.
形态测量方法已被用于研究猫三叉神经核极间部在发育和衰老过程中的突触和终末模式。研究了1日龄、3日龄、6日龄、11日龄、16日龄、21日龄、27日龄、110日龄、600日龄以及8岁和11岁的猫。某些终末和突触的比例及密度（每单位面积的数量）均随年龄呈现显著变化。尤其是轴-轴突触显示出两个主要的增加期（3 - 6日龄和21 - 27日龄）。大多数参数的值在21 - 27日龄期间增加至峰值水平，然后随年龄逐渐下降。结果表明存在两个独立的关键突触形成发育期以及衰老过程中突触成分的丢失。文中讨论了导致这些变化的因素以及每个时期不同传入纤维可塑性的潜力。
